Best of luck to all, the two climbers and any involved in a rescue. Mt. Shasta while often a mild climb can, and often does, bear her fangs. If I recall correctly, Vern Clevenger many many years ago had a rough night or two up near the Thumb. Winds rip up there somedays. Again, I wish all involved a safe return.

Debbie was watching the news when I got in from work today and said that the local news reported that one on the mountain had high altitude sickness. I don't know how good that information is, but that's the report locally (at least on that news channel).

I can't help but remember living at the base of Mt. Washington during the winter of 1994, and receiving a call from the Weather Observatory to: Call MRS (the local Mountain Rescue Service) and NH State Fish and Game. NOW.

Jeremy Haas had just walked through their door, having left his partner Derek Tinkham near the summit of Jefferson.

That was a debacle.

My thoughts are with these guys, both of them, and the hardy folks trying to help.

I'm mountain rescue, and can tell you, it isn't necessarily up to the MR teams. The agency coordinating the search is the one who gives it a go. We go out training in storms as much as possible, but that doesn't mean they'd let us go out in one.

I know what you mean bluering. I was antsy waiting to get called out all day today. They rarely call us to that area (5 hours away) but just the thought that I'm able is killing. Especially when it's a buddy.